Fireproof building construction.



q/v vtmeooeo 444. KM 95 H. J. WAGNER.

FIREPROOF BUILDING CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 12, 1912. RENEWED JAN. 16, 1913.

1,069,503, Patented Aug. 5, 1913.

2 SHBETSSHEET 1.

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H. J. WAGNER.

FIREPROOF BUILDING CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 12, 1912. RENEWED JAN.16, 1913.

1,069,563, Patented Aug. 5, 1913.

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2 SHEETSSHEET 2 a'noemtoz w vtueoom COLUMBIA PLANDGRAPH (10.. WASHINGTON, nv c.

HENRY J. WAGNER, O13 DELLWOOD, NEW YORK.

FIREPROOF BUILDING CONSTRUCTION.

Application filed March 12,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY J. \VAGNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dellwood, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fireproof Building Construction, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to fireproof building construction and has for its primary object to provide improved means for mounting and supporting the extension or projecting portion of a gable roof to completely isolate the same from the main roof of the building whereby the ignition of the latter upon the projecting roof portion catching fire is prevented.

Another and more specific object of the invention is to provide a building wall having oppositely disposed shoulders upon its face. a roof extension including rafters pro vided with notches to receive said shoulders whereby said extension is supported upon the face of the wall, and heat resist-ing means arranged between the main roof and the roof extension, said latter means being mounted upon the building wall.

A further object of the invention resides in the improved construction of the main building roof whereby the rafters thereof are entirely covered and protected by heat resisting material without greatly increasing the weight of the roof or the expense incident to its construction.

Still another object of the inventionis to provide a fireproof construction for building roofs which consist of comparatively few elements and may be easily and quickly assembled and secured in position, the completed roof being extremely strong, durable and efiicient in actual use.

1Vith the above and other objects in view, the invention consists of the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a vertical section of the upper portion of a building wall, and part of the roof illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention and showing the manner of supporting the projection or gable extension of the roof upon the face of the building wall; Fig. 2 is a top plan View;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented A11 55,1913.

1912, Serial No. 683,334. Renewed January 16, 1913. Serial No. 742,474.

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 1 is a detail perspective view of one of the rafter supporting brackets; Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating a slightly modified form of the invention; and Fig. 6 is a similar view illustrating a still further modification.

The present invention relates more particularly to buildings of that class having gable roofs or a projection or extension of the main roof which extends beyond the face of the building wall. The roof covering of such buildings usually consists of wooden shingles, and these shingles being highly inflammable readily become ignited by live embers falling upon the same. It is the purpose of the present invention to provide means for rendering such roofs entirely fireproof, and to this end I provide upon the outer face of the building wall 5 the longitudinally extending ribs or shoulders 6 and 7 respectively. In the present instance I have shown this building wall constructed of superposed plastic blocks, and the ribs 6 and 7 project downwardly and upwardly from the spaced blocks as shown whereby the longitudinal channels or grooves S and 9 are formed therein between the ribs and the face of the wall block separating the blocks which are provided with the ribs. The wall block 10 which is arranged above the last mentioned blocks is provided with an upwardly and outwardly extending enlarged portion 10, the upper face of which is inclined and is provided with a longitudinal channel 11. These channel blocks provide a trough extending the entire width of the building roof and in the channels the boards 12 are adapted to be disposed. These boards are covered upon all surfaces with sheet asbestos or other heat resisting material indicated at 13 and are firmly secured in the channels of the wall blocks by means of the bolts 14.

The gable extension 15 of the roof consists of the rafters 16 and 17, the rafters 16 being inclined in parallel relation to the roof while the rafters 17 are transversely disposed and provided in their upper and lower edges and at their inner ends with the notches 18 and 19 which receive the ribs or shoulders 6 and 7 respectively of the wall blocks. The groove 9 which is provided in the upper surface of the block having the rib 7 formed thereon is sufficiently deep to permit the end of the rafter to be readily inserted between the shoulders 6 and 7 and engaged with the face of the wall, said groove also permitting of the free circulation of air beneath the rafters. The upper ends of the inclined rafters 16 are seated in the notches 20 provided in the outer faces of the enlargements 10 formed on the wall blocks 10. The rafters 17 are connected by means of the finishing boards 21'. and against the outer inclined face of the extension 10' of the wall blocks 10 the longitudinal boards: 22 are disposed, said boards resting at their lower edges upon the edges of the inclined rafters 16. The roof board, 23v is secured to the upper edge of this longitudinal board and to the outer ends of the rafters 17.. Shingles 24 are secured in the usual manner upon this roof board.

A block 25 is arranged upon the Wall block 10 and abuts against the rear face of the extension 10 thereof. This block 25 is also provided with an upwardll y projecting extension or shoulder 25: against the rear inclined face of which the longitudinal boards 2.6 are disposed. The rafters 2'1 of the main roof of the building rest upon the blocks 25 and are permanently secured: thereto: by means of the anchor bolts: 28 which are embedded in the plastic blocks. The roof blocks 29 are supported upon the rafters 27, said roof blocks being provided- With. longitudinal grooves orchannels 30 which are of a depth equal to the width of the roof rafters and entirely receive the same. The upper sur-' faces of the roof blocks are also provided with longitudinali grooves orchannels 31 to receive theboards 32 which are covered with sheet asbestos in a similar manner to the boards 11.. Bolts 34 embedded in the concrete wall blocks: securely retain. the asbestos covered boards in the grooves or channels 31 thereof. In. order to provide an additional support for the rafters of the roof, brackets 35 are secured thereto, said brackets being of U-sha-ped form: to embrace the' loweredges of the roof rafters and having horizontally extending arms 36: to liebetween the superposed units of the end wall 5 of the building, said arms being embedded in the mortar or other binding material.

To the longitudinally disposed board or studding 12. which is arranged in: the upper face of the extension 10 of the block 110;. the bracket, members 37 are secured at one of their ends and extend in. opposite directions therefrom, the other ends of said brackets being. angularly bent as indicated at 37 and rigid-1y secured to the longitudinal members 22: and 26 respectively, said. bracket arms serving asanadditional support for the projection orga-ble extension of thereof and to connect the'blocks.1.'0.*andl25 whereby their 1 relative movement is prevented; said blocks constitutlngwhat is in; effect a single unit ofthe wall structure.

As will be noted from the above descript1on, there is no connection whatever of an inflammable nature between the gable and the main roof of the building so that the gable or extension could be entirely consumed by fire without liability of ignition of the main roof. The gable or extension is also firmly and securely mounted and braced upon the building wall and owing to the comparatively few elements employed in. the

structure, the building wall is not subjected to an excessive weight so that liability of the same buckling or collapsing under the weight of the roof is practically eliminated.

In Fig. 5 of the drawings I have illustrated a slightly modified form of the invention wherein the wall blocks 10 and 25 are provided with transverse channels indicated at 39 and 39 respectively, the blocks 10 of the wall being provided with outwardly and upwardly inclined ledges 40 to form a. trough in which a gutter 41 is adapted to be arranged. This gutter is also con structed of a plurality of plastic blocks.

The extension of the roof in this modified form of the invention is similar to that previously described, with the addition of the brace bars 42 connecting the rafters 16' and 17. The upper end of the inclined rafters 17 are adaptedto abut against the outer face of the inclined ledge 40 of the wall blocks. 1.0 and the blocks imniediately' beneath the wall blocks 10 are provided upon their outer face with upwardly inclined ribs 43' to be received in the notches or recesses 44 inthe ends of the rafters 16 The lower transversely disposed rafters 17' are engaged at their inner ends with the blocks of the building wall in the same manner as described in connection with the pre ferred. embodiment of the invention. It will be noted that the gutter'41 is provided with an outwardly and downwardly inclined flange 45 to extend over the edge of the ledge 40 of the wall blocks 10 and upon the shingles or other covering of the projecting roof portion The outer ends of the transverse rafters of the main roof are supported upon the outer faces of the blocks 25 which are provided with air channels 46 extending beneath the ends of the rafters.

These channels or chambers provide addi.

tional heat resisting, means in the wall structure. In this modified form of the invention: it will be observed that the gutter provides. a space between. the roof of the main building and the projecting gable extensiomt-he flange 45 of said gutter preventing the flames from jumpi ng across the same to the main building roof in case the extensionshould become ignited.

In Fig. 6 of the drawings there is illustrated a still further modification of the invention. wherein the blocks 47, 48 and 49 are arranged in superposed relation uponthe top of the building wall which may be of brick or other construction as desired. The blocks 49 are of similar form to the blocks 25 above referred to and support the outer edge of the main building roof. The blocks 48 and 47 are provided upon their outer faces with upwardly inclined ribs or shoulders to be received in spaced notches provided in the inner ends of the inclined rafters 17 of the roof extension, brace members 85 of similar form to the brace 35 referred to in connection with the main embodiment of the invention being secured to the rafters and embedded between the several superposed Wall blocks. The inner ends of the rafters 17 are properly mitered to fit closely against the outer inclined face of the wall blocks 49 and the space between the adjacent rafters of the roof extension and between the supporting rib or shoulder upon the blocks 48 and the under side of the roof covering is entirely filled with cement or other heat resisting material as indicated at C. This cement filling not only provides a binder between the main and overhanging portions of the roof whereby a perfectly rigid and unitary structure is obtained, but also acts as a barrier or resisting agent to prevent the spread of flames from the overhanging or projecting roof portion to the main roof as will be readily understood from an inspection of the drawing. In this modified embodiment of the invention the roof covering consists of slate shingles which are secured upon the roof boards in the usual manner. To the outer edge of the projecting portion of the roof the ordinary copper or tin gutter 50 may be secured in any usual or preferred manner.

It will be noted that in each form of the invention the projecting or overhanging gable extension of the roof is completely isolated from the main building roof so that the extension could be entirely consumed by the flames without injury in any manner to the main roof. This roof extension or projection can be replaced at comparatively small cost, thus materially reducing the expense of repairs. The first described form of the invention is deemed preferable for use upon buildings situated in localities adjacent to railroad yards where flying sparks or embers from the stacks of locomotives are a constant menace to the safety of the buildings which frequently catch fire by such live embers falling upon the roofs thereof. The second form of the invention is more particu larly adapted for use in sections remote from industrial centers, and is particularly designed to prevent the spreading of flames from the lower fioors of a dwelling to the roof. The flames escaping from the windows of the lower floors ignite the overhanging or projecting portion of the roof, and by means of my invention a cheap, durable and efficient structure is provided whereby this projecting roof portion may be destroyed without injury to the main roof.

From the foregoing it is thought that the manner of construction of the several forms of the invention will be clearly understood.

l/Vhile the several embodiments of the invention above set forth are at present deemed. preferable, I contemplate additional modifications thereof which may fairly be resorted to without departing from the principle involved therein.

The arrangement of the various parts of the construction permit of their quick assemblage in the erection of the building and as they are of simple that the cost of construction is not increased to a material extent.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed is 2- 1. In building construction, the,combination with the building wall, of the main roof resting upon the top of said wall, an overhanging roof section mounted upon the face of the wall, and fireproofing means arranged upon the building wall between the main roof and the overhanging roof section to isolate the latter from the former.

2. In building construction, the combination with the building wall, of the main roof resting upon the top of said wall, an overhanging roof section projecting outwardly from the face of the building wall and isolated from the main roof by said wall, said overhanging roof section including rafters, and projections upon the face of the building wall between and with which said rafters are adapted to be engaged.

3. In building construction, the combina tion with the building wall, of the main roof resting upon the top of said wall, an overhanging roof section projecting outwardly from the face of the building wall and isolated from the main roof by said wall, said overhanging roof section including rafters having notches in their inner ends, and opposed shoulders formed on the face of the building wall to engage in said notches and retain the roof section in position on the wall.

at. In building construction, the combination with the building wall, of the main roof resting upon the top of said wall, an overhanging roof section projecting outwardly from the face of the building wall and isolated from the main roof by said wall, said overhanging roof section including rafters having notches in their longitudinal edges, and opposed longitudinal shoulders formed on the face of the building wall between which the inner ends of the rafters are adapted to be fitted, said shoulders being seated in said notches.

5. In building construction, the combination with the building wall including a pluform, it will be obvious rality of superposed blocks, of the main roof resting at its outer edge upon said wall, one of the wall blocks having an outwardly proj ecting enlargement, and an overhanging roof section embodying inclined rafters seated at their inner ends in the enlargements of the wall blocks, and transverse rafters provided at their inner ends with notches, and horizontal retaining shoulders formed on the face of the building wall for engagement in said notches to retain the overhanging roof section in position. I

6. In building construction, the corn-bination with the building wall, of a main roof resting thereon, an overhanging roof section including rafters provided with notches, horizontally extending shoulders formed on the face of the building wall to be received in said notches to retain the overhanging roof section in position, and fireproofing means embodied in the building wall and arranged between the rafters of the overhanging roof section and the rafters of the main roof to isolate the former from the latter} 7. In building construction, the combination with the building wall consisting of a plurality of superposed blocks, of the main roof resting upon the top of the wall, a projecting roof section and means on the face of the wall co-acting with the roof section to support the same in position, and enlargements formed upon certain of the wall blocks and disposed between the main roof and the projecting roof sections to isolate the latter from the former.

8. In building construction, the combination" with the building wall consisting of a plurality of super 'oosed units, the upper horizontal course of wall units having enlargements formed thereon, of a main roof supported at its outer edge upon the building wall, st-udding secured in the enlarged portions of the wall units, a roof extension mounted upon the face of the building wall, and securing brackets fixed to the studding and to said roof extension.

9. In building construction, the combination with the building wall consisting of plurality of superposed plastic blocks, of a main roof comprising rafters resting upon the top of the wall, heat resisting means arranged upon and extending between said rafters, studding arranged in the upper horizontal course of wall blocks, a roof extension mounted on the face of the wall, and means connecting the main roof and the extension thereof to said studding.

10. In building construction, the combi nation with the building wall consisting of a plurality of superposed plastic blocks, the upper horizontal course of blocks having outwardly projecting enlargements pro- Vided with apperi'nclined faces, said inclined faces of the blocks being longitudinally channeled, of the main roof including rafters supported at their outer ends upon the building wall, a roof extension 'mounte'c'l upon the face of the building wall,

in said channels and connecting the several blocks transversely of the roof, a the resisting sheathing for said studding, and means for permanently securing the studdin'g in the channels of said blocks.

12. In building construction, the combination with the wall consisting of superposed blocks, the upper course of blocks a having enlargements formed thereon provlded wrtlr upper inclined faces longitudlnally channeled, of a main roof comprisi'ngfl rafters resting upon the top of the building wall, plastic blocks grooved to re ceive said rafters, longitudinal members connecting said rafters, a roof extension mounted upon the face of the building wall and including rafters engaging the enlargements of the wall blocks", a longitudinal member connecting said rafters and dis posed against the face of said enlargements, fireproof studding arranged in the channel in the upper surface of said enlargements, and metal brace bars secured to said studding and to" the longitudinal connecting members between the rafters of the main roof the wall blocks, and the rafters of the roof extension.

13. In building construction, the combination with the building wall, of aroof in clu'd-ing rafters resting at their ends upon said wall,- pl'a'st-ic' blocks grooved to receive said rafters, the upper surfaces of said blocks being channeled, studding disposed in the channels of said blocks, an asbestos sheathing for said studding, and bolts embedded in the plastic bloc-ks extending through said stud'ding' to permanently secure the same in said channels.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses. HENRY J. WAGNER.

itnesses W. F. Somrnr, T. A. SMITH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for fi've cents each, by addressing the Chmmissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C. 

